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Mushrooms on Tree Trunk

A conk or mushroom appears around the base of the tree. It is white, gray, brown or even yellowish in color and is often a hard solid growth. The mushrooms are the reproductive bodies of fungi that are growing on decaying wood. Some varieties of conk can decay the wood of a healthy tree, but normally they are found on dead or decaying wood. By the time the conk has appeared on the trunk of a tree it is a strong indication that the tree is suffering from dead wood. It is important to inspect the tree to ensure that it is structurally sound and that it is not dangerous. If the tree or major branches have rotted to the extent that they represent a physical danger, they should be immediately removed.

If the degree of wood root is limited, it is important to keep the tree well fertilized (with a low nitrogen fertilizer) and watered so as to boost its own ability to resist the spread of the fungus. Using the TreeHelp Annual Care Kit is recommended to increase the tree’s vitality. The conk can also be removed from the tree and the area sprayed with Agri-Fos Systemic Fungicide to help reduce the level of fungal infection in the area. The fungicide should be reapplied every 2 to 3 weeks for a duration of about 3 months. It is also a good idea to spray the trunks of trees in the area to prevent air-borne transfer of the conk fungal spores from one tree to another.